Latest news with #46thSummit
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos and Malaysia establish strategic rail-sea trade link
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN): Laos and Malaysia have established a strategic partnership to boost cross-border trade via a rail-sea route, with the exchange of a Memorandum of Cooperation between Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) and Thanaleng Dry Port (TDP) in Malaysia on Sunday. The document was exchanged between MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Datuk Azman Shah Mohd Yusof and PTL Holding Co., Ltd. (PTLH) Chairman and Founder, Dr Chanthone Sitthixay, witnessed by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Bernama reported on the day. The Lao Prime Minister is in Malaysia on an official visit that includes attending the 46th Summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) and related meetings, scheduled to take place on May 26-27, at the invitation of PM Anwar. The partnership between the two companies is part of the broader effort to bolster economic ties between the two Asean members and the rest of the region. PPSB is a subsidiary of MMC Port, while PTLH is the parent company of Vientiane Logistics Park Co., Ltd., which manages the Thanaleng Dry Port - Laos' integrated logistics centre and the single window customs clearance point on the Laos-China Railway. The partnership is part of a broader initiative under the regional Pan-Asia Railway Network, integrating the China-Laos Railway to create a strategic trade route linking southern China through Laos and Thailand, to Malaysia's west coast. Thanaleng Dry Port managing director Sakhone Philangam told Bernama that the collaboration marked a significant milestone in transforming Laos into a key logistics player, building on its landlocked status. He expected that the partnership would benefit Laos economically, as the country's small-scale economy needs to rely on higher trade volumes through cooperation with regional players like Malaysia and China. 'In logistics, you need agglomeration and massification. We don't have that volume, so this partnership will enable us to tap into a larger logistics network,' he was quoted as saying. The collaboration will involve the sharing of operational knowledge, joint marketing efforts, system integration, simplification of documentation processes, harmonisation of infrastructure, and short-term personnel exchanges. MMC Port is a holding company that operates five ports across Peninsular Malaysia, namely the PPSB, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Johor Port Bhd, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, and Tanjung Bruas Port Sdn Bhd, making it Malaysia's largest port operator. Meanwhile, PTLH is a major Lao conglomerate that operates a wide range of businesses including logistics, finance, railway, industrial and investment zones, and gold (Bullion Bank). Azman Shah said the initiative, which is aligned with efforts to enhance ASEAN connectivity, will reduce transit times and logistics costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and boost regional economic growth. 'We are pleased to contribute to Thanaleng Dry Port's efforts to realise Laos' national strategy to transform from a land-locked country to a land-linked nation,' the CEO was quoted as saying. This is the second partnership that the Thanaleng Dry Port has secured with a Malaysian company. Earlier, it signed an agreement with Mutiara Perlis Sdn Bhd to facilitate inland port services, leveraging the existing multimodal integration including the rail network of which the TDP is a vital part. Containing the standard-gauge Laos-China Railway and the one-metre gauge Laos-Thailand rail track that run side by side to enable seamless connection, Thanaleng Dry Port has facilitated rail freight expresses linking Malaysia to several Chinese cities, bolstering cross-border trade. In 2024, total bilateral trade between Laos and Malaysia exceeded US$43 million, up from just US$30 million in 2023, according to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Malaysia is Laos' fourth-largest foreign investor, with total investments amounting to US$946 million across 88 projects, in sectors including renewable energy, transport, telecommunications, construction, banking and hospitality. - Vientiane Times/Asia News Network
Barnama
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
ASEAN Unity Remains Strong Amid Challenges, Five-Point Consensus Still Relevant - Sec-gen
By Nurul Hanis Izmir KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn has reaffirmed that the regional bloc remains united and committed to its centrality and solidarity, even amid growing external pressures and persistent challenges such as the South China Sea dispute and the Myanmar crisis. Speaking to the media ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here, Kao said the commitment was demonstrated when ASEAN Foreign Ministers, who met in four separate meetings yesterday, collectively reiterated that ASEAN's strength lies in its unity and centrality role in the region. 'The message is very clear. ASEAN Foreign Ministers have not just emphasised unity, but also reaffirmed how ASEAN will continue working together during this very challenging time,' he said. Kao, who is leading the ASEAN Secretariat delegation to the 46th Summit, as well as the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, said the bloc has consistently maintained a united voice on regional and global issues when engaging both internally and with external partners. Commenting on Malaysia's announcement to send a delegation to Myanmar to resume engagement with stakeholders there, Kao said this reflects the active role of the ASEAN Chair and the Special Envoy on Myanmar. 'We've seen that under Malaysia's chairmanship this year, the country has been very proactive and consistent in leading ASEAN, especially in efforts to engage Myanmar,' he said. He cited Malaysia's swift response to Myanmar's recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake as a key example of this leadership. In coordination with Thailand, Malaysia initiated a special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting to discuss the delivery of assistance. 'The meeting was convened promptly to coordinate a common ASEAN response. Following that, we've seen the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar both collectively and individually by member states,' he said.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean unity remains strong amid challenges, 5PC still relevant
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn has reaffirmed that the regional bloc remains united and committed to its centrality and solidarity, even amid growing external pressures and persistent challenges such as the South China Sea dispute and the Myanmar crisis. Speaking to the media ahead of the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here, Kao said the commitment was demonstrated when Asean foreign ministers, who met in four separate meetings yesterday, collectively reiterated that Asean's strength lies in its unity and centrality role in the region. "The message is very clear. Asean foreign ministers have not just emphasised unity, but also reaffirmed how Asean will continue working together during this very challenging time," he said. Kao, who is leading the Asean Secretariat delegation to the 46th Summit, as well as the second Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, said the bloc has consistently maintained a united voice on regional and global issues when engaging both internally and with external partners. Commenting on Malaysia's announcement to send a delegation to Myanmar to resume engagement with stakeholders there, Kao said this reflects the active role of the Asean Chair and the Special Envoy on Myanmar. "We've seen that under Malaysia's chairmanship this year, the country has been very proactive and consistent in leading Asean, especially in efforts to engage Myanmar," he said. He cited Malaysia's swift response to Myanmar's recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake as a key example of this leadership. In coordination with Thailand, Malaysia initiated a special Asean Foreign Ministers' meeting to discuss the delivery of assistance. "The meeting was convened promptly to coordinate a common Asean response. "Following that, we've seen the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar both collectively and individually by member states," he said. He said Asean continues to play a key role in mobilising regional and external support, channelling it through Asean-coordinated platforms. On the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), Kao said Asean remains firm in its position. "We want to see a long-term ceasefire, non-violence, inclusive political dialogue, and an escalation in humanitarian assistance to help the people of Myanmar affected by both the political crisis and the recent natural disaster," he said. Responding to a question on whether Asean would press Myanmar's military junta to hold direct talks with the National Unity Government and other stakeholders, Kao reiterated the bloc's position. "We want to see an inclusive political dialogue that involves all key stakeholders. "What I've observed is that Malaysia has been quite forthcoming in exercising leadership, with the support of Asean member states," he said. Despite growing concerns over external influence and internal discord, Kao stressed that Asean's consistency, cohesion and commitment to regional peace and stability remain unwavering. — BERNAMA
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN unity remains strong amid challenges, five-point consensus still relevant - Sec-gen
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn has reaffirmed that the regional bloc remains united and committed to its centrality and solidarity, even amid growing external pressures and persistent challenges such as the South China Sea dispute and the Myanmar crisis. Speaking to the media ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here, Kao said the commitment was demonstrated when ASEAN Foreign Ministers, who met in four separate meetings yesterday, collectively reiterated that ASEAN's strength lies in its unity and centrality role in the region. 'The message is very clear. ASEAN Foreign Ministers have not just emphasised unity, but also reaffirmed how ASEAN will continue working together during this very challenging time,' he said. Kao, who is leading the ASEAN Secretariat delegation to the 46th Summit, as well as the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, said the bloc has consistently maintained a united voice on regional and global issues when engaging both internally and with external partners. Commenting on Malaysia's announcement to send a delegation to Myanmar to resume engagement with stakeholders there, Kao said this reflects the active role of the ASEAN Chair and the Special Envoy on Myanmar. 'We've seen that under Malaysia's chairmanship this year, the country has been very proactive and consistent in leading ASEAN, especially in efforts to engage Myanmar,' he said. He cited Malaysia's swift response to Myanmar's recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake as a key example of this leadership. In coordination with Thailand, Malaysia initiated a special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting to discuss the delivery of assistance. 'The meeting was convened promptly to coordinate a common ASEAN response. Following that, we've seen the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar both collectively and individually by member states,' he said. Kao noted that ASEAN continues to play a key role in mobilising regional and external support, channelling it through ASEAN-coordinated platforms. On the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), Kao said ASEAN remains firm in its position. 'We want to see a long-term ceasefire, non-violence, inclusive political dialogue, and an escalation in humanitarian assistance to help the people of Myanmar affected by both the political crisis and the recent natural disaster,' he said. Responding to a question on whether ASEAN would press Myanmar's military junta to hold direct talks with the National Unity Government and other stakeholders, Kao reiterated the bloc's position by saying: 'We want to see an inclusive political dialogue that involves all key stakeholders. What I've observed is that Malaysia has been quite forthcoming in exercising leadership, with the support of ASEAN member states,' he said. Despite growing concerns over external influence and internal discord, Kao stressed that ASEAN's consistency, cohesion and commitment to regional peace and stability remain unwavering.
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN unity remains strong amid challenges
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn has reaffirmed that the regional bloc remains united and committed to its centrality and solidarity, even amid growing external pressures and persistent challenges such as the South China Sea dispute and the Myanmar crisis. Speaking to the media ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here, Kao said the commitment was demonstrated when ASEAN Foreign Ministers, who met in four separate meetings yesterday, collectively reiterated that ASEAN's strength lies in its unity and centrality role in the region. 'The message is very clear. ASEAN Foreign Ministers have not just emphasised unity, but also reaffirmed how ASEAN will continue working together during this very challenging time,' he said. Kao, who is leading the ASEAN Secretariat delegation to the 46th Summit, as well as the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, said the bloc has consistently maintained a united voice on regional and global issues when engaging both internally and with external partners. Commenting on Malaysia's announcement to send a delegation to Myanmar to resume engagement with stakeholders there, Kao said this reflects the active role of the ASEAN Chair and the Special Envoy on Myanmar. 'We've seen that under Malaysia's chairmanship this year, the country has been very proactive and consistent in leading ASEAN, especially in efforts to engage Myanmar,' he said. He cited Malaysia's swift response to Myanmar's recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake as a key example of this leadership. In coordination with Thailand, Malaysia initiated a special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting to discuss the delivery of assistance. 'The meeting was convened promptly to coordinate a common ASEAN response. Following that, we've seen the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar both collectively and individually by member states,' he said. Kao noted that ASEAN continues to play a key role in mobilising regional and external support, channelling it through ASEAN-coordinated platforms. On the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), Kao said ASEAN remains firm in its position. 'We want to see a long-term ceasefire, non-violence, inclusive political dialogue, and an escalation in humanitarian assistance to help the people of Myanmar affected by both the political crisis and the recent natural disaster,' he said. Responding to a question on whether ASEAN would press Myanmar's military junta to hold direct talks with the National Unity Government and other stakeholders, Kao reiterated the bloc's position by saying: 'We want to see an inclusive political dialogue that involves all key stakeholders. What I've observed is that Malaysia has been quite forthcoming in exercising leadership, with the support of ASEAN member states,' he said. Despite growing concerns over external influence and internal discord, Kao stressed that ASEAN's consistency, cohesion and commitment to regional peace and stability remain unwavering.
